Introduction to the Crisis
With the city of Los Angeles facing a significant budget crisis and a decline in police staffing, Mayor Karen Bass’ goal of restoring the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) to 9,500 officers seems increasingly out of reach. The city’s financial struggles, coupled with a drop in homicides, have led to questions about the ideal size of the LAPD and how low its staffing could or should go.
The Current State of LAPD Staffing
At the time of Bass’ initial proposal, the LAPD was struggling with recruitment, and the department’s size was at risk of falling below 9,000 officers. Now, the City Council’s budget committee has moved forward with a plan to cut the LAPD by another 300 officers, not through layoffs but by slowing down recruitment. This move would leave the department with 8,400 officers by June 2026, down from about 8,700 this year and 10,000 five years ago.
Budget Constraints and Their Impact
The slowdown in recruitment is expected to free up $9.5 million, helping to save some of the civilian workers at the LAPD whose jobs are among the 1,600 targeted for elimination in the mayor’s proposed budget. However, the city’s nearly $1-billion shortfall and several years of financial turmoil ahead have led the budget committee to consider more drastic measures. An analysis shows that ramping down hiring even more, and for a longer period, could save $385 million over five years. Under this scenario, the LAPD would bring on just 120 recruits per year, far fewer than the number who resign or retire, leaving slightly more than 6,600 police officers by 2030.
Reactions to the Proposal
Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez, who requested the analysis, views the committee’s decision to cut police hiring in half over the coming year as a good start. She believes the analysis provides a clear pathway for future budget deliberations. However, others, such as Sylvia Robledo and real estate developer Rick Caruso, have expressed concerns that scaling back police hiring would increase attrition, result in officer burnout, and force the LAPD to spend even more on overtime.
The Mayor’s Stance
Bass spokesperson Clara Karger stated that the mayor has not abandoned her goal to grow the LAPD. Despite the challenges, Karger noted that progress is being made, with the LAPD receiving a record number of applicants and a larger number of officers staying in their jobs. However, the mayor’s ability to achieve her hiring goal seems increasingly uncertain, especially given the city’s budget constraints.
State of Play
The council’s budget committee has taken steps to address the city’s financial crisis, including reducing police hiring and considering cuts to other initiatives. The committee also endorsed a reduction of up to $10 million for Inside Safe, the mayor’s initiative to move homeless Angelenos into interim and permanent housing. Meanwhile, Bass has been promoting Los Angeles as a reliable and stable partner for international business and trade, despite the city’s challenges.
Quick Hits
- The mayor’s signature homelessness program, Inside Safe, has been implemented in several areas, including parts of Councilmember Katy Yaroslavsky’s Westside district and Councilmember Bob Blumenfield’s west San Fernando Valley district.
- The City Council is scheduled to vote on the plan for hiking the minimum wage of hotel workers and employees of private companies doing business at Los Angeles International Airport.
Stay in Touch
For more information and updates on the city’s budget crisis and its impact on the LAPD, send questions, comments, and gossip to LAontheRecord@latimes.com.
Conclusion
The future of the LAPD and the city’s ability to address its budget crisis remain uncertain. As the city navigates these challenges, it is clear that difficult decisions will need to be made about policing, public services, and economic development. The path forward will require careful consideration of the city’s priorities and resources.
FAQs
Q: What is the current size of the LAPD?
A: The LAPD currently has about 8,700 officers.
Q: What is Mayor Bass’ goal for the LAPD?
A: Mayor Bass’ goal is to restore the LAPD to 9,500 officers.
Q: How much could be saved by ramping down LAPD hiring?
A: According to an analysis, $385 million could be saved over five years by reducing hiring.
Q: What is the impact of the budget crisis on city services?
A: The budget crisis is leading to cuts in various city services, including the LAPD and initiatives like Inside Safe.
Q: How can I stay updated on the city’s budget and the LAPD?
A: Send questions, comments, and gossip to LAontheRecord@latimes.com for more information and updates.
